Record changer phonograph



Oct. 7, 1952 B. N. Flsl-IER 2,613,081

RECORD CHANGER PHONOGRAPH Filed July 26, 1946 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 er/ze/Vf'gsher ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 7, 1952 a. N. FISHER 2,613,081

RECORD CHANGER PHONOGRAPH Filed July 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENToR 54 156 -erneMFia7zer ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1952 B. N. FISHER 2,613,081

RECORD. CHANGER PHoNoGRAPH Filed July ze, 194e 5 sheetssheet s INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1952 B. N. FISHER 2,613,081

RECORD CHANGER PHONOGRAPH Filed July 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTO/R BY MM ATTO R N EYS Oct. 7, 1952 B. N. FISHER 2,613,081

RECORD CHANGER PHONOGRAPH Filed July 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvEN-roR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 7, 1952 General Instrument Corporation, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Elizabeth,

Application July 26, 1946, Serial No. 686,313

This invention relates to a record changer phonograph and more particularly to a novel and simplied method of moving the tone arm of such a phonograph through its record changing and record playing positions and then depositing l said tone arm at a selected initial playing position.

In record changer phonographs of this charac.- ter, mechanism automatically actuatable when the playing of one record is completed is customarily provided for carrying out the follow- .ing sequence of operations: Lifting the reproonto the turntable where no record has as yet` been played) returning the tone arm to a starting position over the new record (this position of the tone arm will herein be referred to as the initial playing positionl) and lowering the tone arm onto or adjacent the starting groove of the new record.

Records commercially used in practice `are of diiferent sizes or diameters and those most commonly employed are of l inch and 12 inch diameter. Mechanism for automatically eifecting a record change is usually so designed and constructed that the phonograph may be used for both l0 inch and l2 inch records.

This operation and these requirements impose certain limitationsin the design of such a record changer phonograph, with the result that the apparatus employed has in the past been comparatively complicated and composed of numerous parts mechanically interrelated in complex fashion.

it is a prime object of the presentinvention to provide a record changer phonograph of this character ernbodyimg,` in addition `to new and improved operating features and characteristics, an overall simplied construction so that a generally low cost machine is obtained which may be eihciently operated, easily repaired and readily maintained. l

The principal improvements over prior record changers of this type which inhere in the present invention are the following:

1. A single cam carries a three-dimensional cam surface which operates to control the tone `arm throughout the sequence of operations above described. This single cam surface both lifts the 4 Claims. (Cl. 274-10) tone arm to disengage it from the record with which it has been in contact, moves the tone arm to a record changing position, and then, after a new record has been fed to the turntable, 4moves the tone arm to its initial playing position;

2. The cam is provided with a plurality of paths so that the tone arm may be depositedy in any one of a pluralityof initial playing positions depending upon the size of record to be played.

3. The means for controlling the choice of paths to be eiective upon the tone arm is ein trernely simplified in comparison with all prior art structures and is characterized in particular by an almost complete lack of moving parts and complicated linkages, yet at the same time achieving its objectives in a positive mannerl 4. In one embodiment of my invention, the choice of initial playing positions for the tone arm is automatically effected by the positioning of a record holder, the latter being so designed as to support in its various positions records of different sizes. It is to be borne in mind, however, that it is not essential that the choice be .effected by the record holder, since any ofthe other means Well-known in this art may be used for this purpose, such as a trip member which is actuated by the size of the record which drops to the turntable. A

5. In the accomplishment of the above objectives, the cam employs centrifugal force to direct the tone arm to that one of its initial playing ,positions which is radially outwardly disposed from the others, and force exerted upon the tone arm in opposition to said centrifugal force is employed to eect the selection or" va different initial playing position. this specification that initial playing position which is radially outwardly disposed With. respect to the others and which therefore corresponds to a record of the largest size will be termed the normal initial playing position.

6. In order to further the simplicity of construction which results from the here-described construction, which simplicity is exceedingly important in achieving relatively fool-proof operation coincidentally with inexpensiveness or manufacture, there is provided on the same cam which controls the motion of the tone arm a` Throughout 3 permit a change in angular relationship between the tone arm and the cam, thus permitting adjustment of the mechanism to minor variations in record size.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention resides in the phonograph combinations andv subcombinations as sought to be defined in the appended claims and as described in the following specification taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective viewof an embodiment of the phonograph of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof with parti ofV the base plate broken away to reveal the turntable driving mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view'taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a top view of that portion of the phonograph mounted below the basel plate, with the base plate indicated in. broken lines;

Fig. 5 is a side View, partially in cross-section, taken along. the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a bottom View taken. along the line 6 6 of. Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail cross-sectionaly view of the cam actuating mechanism taken along the line 7-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View on an. enlarged lscale of the spindle, record feeding means, and

turntable mounting means;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cam and camY follower, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, showing the cam follower in a position corresponding to the completion of playing of a record;

Fig. 10 is a perspective schematic View of the tone arm, its operating member, and its method of mounting;

Fig. 1l is a schematic view of the three-dimensional cam in operation as it directs the tone arm to its normal initial playing position;

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. l1 except that the tone arm is being directed to a non-normal initial playing position;

Fig. 13 is a View illustrating a rotation of the cam approximately 60 countercloc'kwise from the position shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a rear detail View of thel record holder, its means of support, and the controlv means attached thereto; and

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line IFJ- I5 of Fig. 14 and showing in addition the pressure finger active upon the top of the vrecord pile.

General organization of' the machine Referring now more in detail to the drawings, and. having reference particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the phonograph in its general organization comprises a base or supporting plate A which supports all of the parts of the machine, a record turntable B rotatably mounted thereon, a reproducer or tone arm C mounted thereon so as to be movable through record changing and record playing positions, a record supporting and feeding means D centrally arranged with respect Vto the turntable B but non-rotatable therewith, a record holder F adapted to support by a portion of its periphery the lowest record of a pile of records vertically disposed above the turntable B, a cam G (see Fig. 5) which is provided with a three-dimensional cam surface, a tone arm operating member I-I connected to the tone arm C at one end and provided at its other end with a cam follower which engages the three-dimensional cam surface of the cam G, control means J independent of the cam G and active upon the tone arm operating member H to control the selection of the initial playing position to which the cam G directs the tone arm C, the record feeding means D being suitably actuated by the caml G to control theA dropping of records from the pile of records vertically disposed above the record holder F to the turntable B, all of these elements cooperating with one another and with the. remainder of the record changer mechanism t'o achieve the above-described objectives and sequence of operations.

Itis of the essence or" the construction herein described that the single cam G control the entire sequence of motions of the tone arm C during the record changing operation, that the cam G be so constructed as to place the tone arm C in any one of a plurality of initial playing positions, that the toneV arm C be positioned in its normal initial playing position, that is to say, one which is outwardly radially disposed with respect to the othersy andl which corresponds to a record of large; size, solely by the action of centrifugal force, that the tone arm C be positioned in a non-normal initial playing position, corresponding to a record of smaller size, by the application of a' forcev thereto in opposition to the aforementioned centrifugal force,v and `that the saine cam' G also control theV operation of the record feeding means D so that proper timing thereof is posi-tively assured in a simple manner.

AsA here illustrated, the force in opposition to centrifugal force" which operates to position the tone arm C in a non-normal` initial playing position is effected by the control means J which is attached to and operated by the record holder F. If recordsv of large size are to be played, the record holder F must be so positioned as to support such records and the control means J is simultaneously positioned so as to permit centrifugal force to deposit the tone arm in its normal initial playing position corresponding to the largeY record. If smaller records are to be played, the record holder F must be moved to a position to support them and the control means J is then simultaneously moved to a position whereby it exerts a force upon the tone arm C in opposition to the centrifugal force imparted thereto by the cam G and consequently the tone arm C is positioned in a non-normal initial playing position inwardly radially disposed from the normal kinittial playing position and c orresponding to a record of smaller size as supported by the record holder F.

The turntable B may comprise anA inverted dished. disc member lil with a suitable frictional material on its upper surface so as to engage and rotate records which may be placed thereupon and provided with a depending hub I 2 (see Figs. 3 and 8) the lower edge of which is adapted to rest upon and be supported by a ball bearing race idl which in turn is supported by bracket I6 attached to the base plate A. At the lower end of the hub l2 are provided a gear I8, which is preferably formed of pressed fibre material, below which is mounted a mutilated gear 20 having but a small number of relatively widely separated individual gear teeth 22 (see Figs 3, 4 and 6).

The hub i2 is hollow and fits over and is rotatable around a spindle sleeve 24 which is Xed to the bracket I6 by means of nut 25 engageable with the threaded lower end 2l of said sleeve. The interior of the hub may be provided with cam G upon the cam follower dii. i

table B. i

Rotation of the turntable B is eiected` by an electric motor 3D mounted on bracket 32 Iby means of screws 34, the bracket in turn being mounted upon the base plate A by means of lips 35 and screws t8 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The drive shaft 4U of the motor Sil projects upwardly through the bracket 32 and the base plate A to a position lwithin the depending flange 42 of the turntable B where `it frictionally contacts the periphery of a rubber-facedfwhecl 44 which is rotatably mounted on plate it which is inturn slidable over the bracket 32 and is constantly and resiliently urged, by means of spring 48, into a position such that the rubber-faced wheel 44 is j simultaneously brought into frictional vcontact with the drive shaft 4i) of the motor 3l] and the interior of the depending flange 4Z of the turntable lf3. `Upon energization of the motor, causing it to rotate, the turntable is thus rim-rotated, and the gears i8 and 2f) at the bottom ofrthe turntable hub l2 are simultaneously rotated.`

Tone arm and moving means therefor and which is then bentV downward so as to pass loosely through aperture 56 in lip 5l of bracket 53, through a similar aperture (not shown) in the lip 58 of said bracket and to extend therebelow so as to` be rotatable with respect to the bracket 5d within said apertures.

The bracket 58 is in-turn tiltable about pintles 62 supported by arms fill attached to the base plate A. A bar 6B is provided at one end with a cam follower 58 and its other end passes below the lip 60 of the bracket 58 and is then bent upward and backward so as to envelop that lip. -An orifice 'l0 is provided in `the reverselyrbent tip 'l2 of the bar 66 and `through the ,orifice 'it passes a portion of the vertical part of the bar all. Aset screw 14 is provided to adjustably nx the position of the tone arm C with respect to the cam follower 68 and at the same time to permit aV change in angular relationship between. said two elements in order to ensure proper positioning of the tone arm in its initial playing positions on the records employed. v l i The rigid construction of the tone arm loperating member H, comprising the tube dll, bracket 58 and bar 56, ensures positive positioning of `the tone arm at all times ,throughv `the action of the The cam G is mounted so as to be rotatable about stud 'l5 attached to the base platefA by bolt 11. As here illustrated, its upper face` is provided with a three-dimensional surface upon which the cam follower t3 rides, the details of which may best be understood by a study of Figs. 4, l1, l2 and 13. It has a substantially radial depressed portion lil over which the cam follower 68 rides as the `tone arm C* engages with the playing groove inthe record and moves radially inwardly guided thereby. The depth of the-depressed portion l' is preferably so great that when the tone arm C is in contact with a record on the turntable B, thecam follower t8 will be raised slightly above the cam surface so that no frictional resistance'is offered to the tone arm C as it conforms to the playing groove of the record. The cam follower '58 is illustrated in this portion 16 of the cam surface in Figs. Ll and 9.

When the tone arm has traveled to the end of the playing groove on the record, the arm llt and cam follower 68 will have beenmoved to a position inwardly radially disposed with respect to the cam and they will therecontact and press inwardly a trip arm 'f8 which extends upwardly through `an aperture 8l! in the cam G, thereby initiating the rotation of the cam G in a inanner hereinafter to be described, which rotation controls and actuates the entire record changing sequence.

The iirst effect of the initiation of the record changing sequence will be to cause the cam G to rotate inthe direction indicated bythe arrows of Figs. 4, y6, l1, 12 and 13. The cam follower fill will at that time Contact the cam surface area designated 82, which surface is three-dimension.m ally shaped so` as to incline upwardly and outwardly so that the cam follower 'it is simultaneously lifted and, by the inclination ofthe surface 82 in conjunction with centrifugal force, urged outwardly toward the periphery of t-he cam G. Because of the rigid connection between the cam follower'V 63 andthe tone arm C, the tone arm isthus lifted and disengaged from the record and urged toward a radially outward position.

As rotation of the cam G continues, the cam follower 68 comes into contact with the surface 84, which surface is fiat and at an elevation such that the tone arm will be raised above the height of the maximum number of records receivable on the turntable B. Raised guide portion 8S in conjunction with the raised peripheral rim t@ which surrounds the entire cam surface ensures that the cam follower 68 is urged to its most outward position so that it enters path 9u, the position of the tone arm C being so regulated with respect thereto, by means of set screw lll, that the tone arm C will then be in its record changing position, so far outwardly radially disposed with respect `to the turntable B that it will notinterfere with the dropping of records thereonto. l

, As here illustrated, the `cam G is then provided with a pair of paths 92 and 9d, the former being outwardly radially disposed with respect to the latter, both communicating at one end with the path S0 leading inwardly a proper amount with respect tothe path Sil and both being downwardly inclined and opening at their other end into the aforementioned depressed portion ,16. As the cam follower 5d is caused to traverse the outer path 92, the tone arm C will be deposited in its normal initial playing position, the initial playing position outwardly disn posed with respect to the other possible initial playing positions and corresponding to-the larg est sized record playable upon the machine (see Fig. 4). The rotation of the cam G proceeds at such a speed that the centrifugal force active upon the cam follower 68 as it passes through the path S2 is sufficient to cause the cam follower 68 constantly to bear against the outer retainn ing rim 68 of the cam G and thus it will pass into the path 32 without the necessity of any action other than therotation of the cam G.

If the cam follower 63, on the other hand, be caused to enter and traverse the path 94, the tone arm C will beA deposited in a non-normal initial playing position, one inwardly radially esci-'3,031

disposed `with respect to v.the normal initial 'playing position and corresponding lto 'a 'record of a size smaller than maximum (see Fig. '130. In order to ensure passage of the cam follower VV60 through the 4path `04 when desired, I have devised an extremely simple system, embodying the control means J, which eliminates the employment of the complicated apparatus and linkages of prior art structures. As here illustrated, I attach to the vertical portion of the bar 50 a spring leaf tab 96, here shown as attached by means of screw 98. It is to be understood, however, that any projection from the tone arm operating member H would serve the same purpose,

whether that projection be resilient or rigid and and is therefore eccentrically mounted in "the whether it be connected to the operating member H in the position here shown or in some other position. I further provide, to cooperate with the spring leaf tab 06, a control arm which as here illustrated is capable of assuming the inoperative position shown in Figs. 4, and 11 and the operative position shown in Figs. 12 and 13. When the control arm is in its position shown in Fig. 1l, it will not contact the spring leaf 96 during any portion of the record changing sequence and consequently, as hereinbefore described, centrifugal force will ensure that the cam follower 68 will traverse the path 92. Consequently, the position of the control arm |00 illustrated in Fig. 11 is the position 1v in which it should be placed when the normal initial playing .position of the tone arm C is desired.

When the control arm |00 is placed in its operative position as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, it will, during the time that the cam follower 68 is in the path 90, contact the spring leaf 66 `and fiex the latter, thereby exerting a torsional force upon the vertical portion of the tube 50 in such a direction as to urge the cam v-follower 68 inwarclly against the action of the centrifugal force imparted thereto by the rotation of the lcam G. The control arm |00 and the spring leaf 06 are so formed that this eiect will continue until sometime after the cam follower 6B has entered the path 94 (see Fig. 12). Consequently, the position of the control arm |00 illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 is that in which it should be placed when a non-normal initial playing position is desired for the tone arm C.

Record changing and dropping mechanism Within the spindle sleeve 24 is xedly mounted the hollow spindle I 02. A spindle cap |04 is xed to a shaft |06 which is eccentrically mounted within the spindle |02 and which extends through an aperture in a bracket |08 fixed below the bracket I6 and which is then resiliently bent into an inverted hook shape as at |0 (seeFig. 3), which hook cooperates with recesses ||2, ||2' in the bracket |08 to ensure positioning of the spindle cap |04 either concentric with the spindle |02 for removing a played stack of records from the turntable B (see broken lines of Fig. 8') or in position eccentric with respect thereto representing a rotation of the shaft |06 through 180 (see solid lines of Fig. 8), in which position the cap |04 receives the stack of records illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the bottom-most record resting upon the button H6.

The record feeding means is of a type known in the art and is associated with the central spindle support. This record feeding means comprises the button 6 which is fixed to a sleeve H8, which sleeve surrounds the shaft |06 spindle 5| 02. To the llower end of the sleeve H6 is fixed, by means of set screw |20, hubbed gear |22 so that its rotation will be imparted to the button |26. When this rotation takes place, the button ||6 is moved from its normal position concentric withthe'spindle |02 to a position concentric with the spindle cap |04 (as shown in Fig. 8)., whereupon the stack of records, the central holes of which envelop the spindle cap |04, will be `permitted. to move downwardly, the central hole in Athe lowermost of said records enveloping the button H6, the lowermost record being supported in position by engaging the top 'shoulder 'I I4 of the `spindle |02. As the button ||6 continues to rotate, it moves back to its position concentric with the spindle |02 and thus frees the record which envelops it from the support of the surface |4 of the spindle |02, whereupon the record is .permitted to drop to the turntable B, where kit 'rests either upon the turntable B itself or upon the records which have been previously dropped thereupon. rlhe button ||6 in this last cycle of its movement also interposes itself as a support for the remaining records in the stack with the result that the remaining records are then supported in normal manner.

In order to ensure positive positioning of the button H6 in its normal position concentric with the spindle |02, the underside of the gear |22 is provided with an appropriately placed depression which is engageable in detent manner by spring |24 attached to the upper surface of bracket |08.

With feeding means of the type described, it has been found desirable to provide additional support for the stack of unplayed records at their periphery. This support is here provided by the record supporting plate F mounted on a horizontal portion |26 of the rear extension 54 of the base plate A so as to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft |28 to which it is rigidly attached. The portion |26 of the base plate A may have a collar |30 fixed thereto through which the shaft |28 rotatably projects, the collar being provided with a pair of adjustable stops, here shown in the form of screws |32, |22 which cooperate with a depending lug |34 from the plate F. The shaft |28 may be secured to the collar |30 by means of bolt |36.

The record supporting edge of the plate F is arcuately cut away as at |38 and |40, the shape of these portions corresponding to the sizes of the records to be played. Thus, when the plate F is in its position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the surface |40 will support, for example, 12 inch records on the spindle cap |04 but will not support 10 inch records thereon. Furthermore, the area of support is so designed that when records are moved, by means of the button I6, from a position concentric with the spindle cap |04 to a position concentric with the spindle |02, they will be withdrawn from the supoprt of the plate F and consequently will be permitted to drop. If the plate F be moved so that the surface |38 is in position for supporting records, that surface will support 10 inch records in such a manner that they too may drop to the turntable B when moved to a position concentric with the spindle |02 but will present such an area of support to 12 inch records that they will not be droppable. Consequently, the position of the plate F, as determined by the stops |32, I 32', will determine the size of record to be played by the record changer.

The control arm |00 is here shown as adjustegeiaoai ably threaded Within the shaft 12a, deposition therein being iixed by means of lock nut |42;

Since the position of the record supporting plate F determines the size of record to beplay'ed by the record changer, since the sizeof record to be played determines the choice of initial playing position forthe tone arm C, and since the position of the controly arm controls the choice of initial playing position at which theV cam'G deposits the tone arm C, it is consequently `extremely advantageous to connect the control arm |60 to the recordsupporting plate `F` so that choice of proper initial playing position for the cyl lines of Fig. 6, the'` tip |86 thereof is adapted to be engaged by the head |84 of the screw |62, and since the latch |18 is constantly urged, by

means of spring |86, in a direction such as to maintain that engagement, the latch |18 serves to keep the 1angle member |66 inits retracted position.

tends to pull the pressure iinger'l44 down-and thus applies pressure upon the record stack. i i

The mechanism for producing a, record changing i cycle strong spring hook i6 is driven and consequently the gears |B` and 26 attached to the bottom of its hub I2 simul The periphery of the cam G is taneously rotate. Y provided with gearteeth |60 positioned coplanar with Athe gear |6. The gear teeth |60 `extend completely around the .periphery of the cam.G except for a portion |62 thereof where the gear teeth are mutilated. Within this portion |62 the gear i8 normally rotates in non-engaging manner (see Fig. 6).

Attached to the underside of the cam G so as to be pivotable about stud |64 is angle piece |66 which is spring urged by means of helicalV spring |68 to the position shown in solid lines of Fig. 6 in which thetipd 10 of the arm |12 thereof protrudes slightly into the space |62. Ledge |14 positively positions the tip |10.

When in that springv urged .position, the tip |16 is coplanar with and engageable by any one of theindividual separated gear teeth 22 carriedA by gear 20. As the gear 20 rotates in the direction `indicatedfby the arrow of Fig. 6, the tooth 22 will engage with the protruding tip and will` rotate thecam G in the direction indicated by thearrow thereonso that the gear I6 will mesh with the gear teeth |60 on the cam G and thus ensure a complete rotation thereof. y

As the cam `G rotates, a depending lug on the arm |12 kcontacts lug |16 iixed to the bracket |06 and the angle piece |66-is thus bar -As the cam rotates, the interactionof the cam follower 66 with the upper cam surface takes place as has previously been described and completely controls the motion of 'the tone arm C. i In addition, a portion of the cam G is providedwith a fragmentary gear |90 positioned coplanar with the gear |22 attached to the button I|6.\ The number of teeth in the vfrag-v mentary gear' |66 equals the number of teeth in the gear |22 and consequently for each rotation of the cam G a complete rotation is imparted to the gear |22 and the button ||6. The propertim'ing for interrelating the record dropping action with the 'tone arm moving action is achieved by properly'positioning the fragmentary gear |98 on the periphery of the cam G. i

After the cam lG has made a complete revolution, which corresponds to a complete record `changing sequence, it is essential that the cam G should bein a position such 'that the gear I8 is freely rotatable within the space |62. To thisend, a notched projection |62 isapplied at an appropriate point to the exterior of the peripheral rail 88 which cooperates with a relatively |94 suitably attached to the record 'changer framework to detent-load the cam G in its desired stationary position. When a record has been completely played, the inner endv of the bar 66 and the cam-follower 68 contact the trip arm 16, as shown in Fig. 9 and as has already been described. The lower end of the trip arm 16 isv attached to one arm of the latch |18 and when the trip arm 18 is moved inwardly, the latch |18 is moved to its position shown in `solid lines in Fig. 6, at which time the engagement of the arm |86 of the angle member |66 with the head |84 of the screw |82 is broken. Consequently, as has been explained, the spring |66 causes the angle member |66 to rotate so that the tip |10 of its arm |12 protrudes into the space |62 where it is engaged by one of the gear teeth 22. In this manner, the record changing sequence is automatically initiated upon the completion of `playing of a record. 'i

Beneath the base plate A is slidably mounted |96 which is constantlyspring urged by means ,of spring .|93 into contact with the pivotable switch bracket |56. The inner end of the arm |96 stops just short of contacting the trip arm `18 (see Figsje and 6). if itbe de- `siredtofrnanually initiate `a record changing sequence for any reason, all that is necessary i is to manually pivot the switch` bracket |56 by,

caused to pivot in a counterclockwise direction i for example, the application'of sideward pressure to the switch button |64. rThis will cause the bar. |06 to slide inwardly against the tension `of `the spring |98 and to move the trip arm 18 inwardly, thus initiating the record changing sequence.

Conclusion adapted for automatiofchanging for recordsl of various sizes, when compared to prior. structures which achieve. the same result, exhibits markedly simplified4 construction, positive operation, and practicallylvno adjustment points whichv might lead to yoperating troubles. Thus, this record changer is not only more dependable in A.operation than prior devices of the same nature, but is also exceedingly less expensive to manufacture and much simpler to assemble.A

linkages, and. positive action of this record changer, it has been found thatit achieves a complete record changing sequence in an` exceedingly short period of time, being limited only by the. time necessary to impart a coml plete rotation to the cam G. This is obviously industrial development of this record changerto articially slow down the record changing sequence to a period of approximately four seconds. However, the mechanism is' capable, provided the records used therewith are care fully chosen, to accomplish a complete record changing sequenceV inA two seconds or less and as the commercial productionof records achieves closerl conformity to dimensional standardsit willbe possible to so design the record changer of the present invention as to materially decrease the effective elapseofl timeof a record changing sequence.

All of the above-described advantages are achievedzby means of the constructional features as herein generally described and as defined in the following claims, but it is apparent that a myriadof detailed changes in design may be resorted to without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim-z c l. In an automatic phonograph, a base plate, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, atonev arm above said turntable movable through record playing and record changing positions,l a cam rotatably mounted below said base plate and having a plurality of paths corresponding to different initialplaying positions ofsaid tone arm, a tone arm operating member connected to the tone arm, extending below said base plate, and there being provided with a follower engageable with said cam and movable within the paths on saidcam, the. camv and cam follower functioninginthe operation of the phonograph to move 'the tone arm Ito a record changing position and return the same to any one of a plurality of initial playing positions, control means on said tone arm operating member to one side of said base plate, a record holder mounted on andabove said base plate andk movable between positions for supporting records of large and small sizes, said recordholder comprising a rotatable plate connectedfto a Vertical member extending downwardly from said plate, said vertical member having a lateral projection, said tone arm operatingmember having a nger projecting from a portion thereof, said projection and said linger, by rotationof said'plate to support records of one size, being positioned so as to be engageable to cause said camrollower to j 1o Because of the simplicity. lack of complicated` move inra given camfpathlso, asvjto select an appropriate initial playing position for said tone arm, rotation of said` plate to support records of another size positioning said projection so as to be nongengageable; Wthsaidnger thus permittingsaidcam follower-to move ina different campath so as to select an appropriate` initial playing position for said tonearm;

2. The1 automatic,` phonograph ofclaim 1, in which said; record holdercomprises a` rotatable plate connected; to a vertical member. having a projecting lug, and in-whichsaid tone operating member srprovided withrarvertical portion to one side of saidbase plate, said vertical portion having a finger projecting therefrom, at least one of said finger and said lug being resilient,xrotation of saidplate tosupport records of one size positioning said lug s oas,to be-engageable with said linger to. cause said cam, follower to move in a given cam path so asto select an appropriate linitial playing positionl for said tone arm, rotation of said plate to` support a record of'another size positioning said-,lugso as to be non-engageable with said; finger,- thus permitting said camfollowerto move in av different path` so as to selectan appropriateinitial playing'position for saidtone arm.

3. The automatic phonograph of claim 2, in whichthe direction of projection of` said projecting lug is adjustable with respect to said plate.

4. In an automatic phonograph, a base plate, aA turntable rotatably mounted thereon,l a tone arm above said turntable movable through record playing and record changingO positions, a cam rotatably mountedbelowsaid base plate and having a plurality o cam paths corresponding to different,initialpositionsof said tone arm, a secondary plate extendingl upwardly from said base plate to one side ,of said.; turntable and having an aperture therein,v a tone arm operating member connected to saidj tone arm and' extending through said' aperture' and downwardly behind said secondary plate toa point below said, base plate, a cam follower/secured to the lower portion of said tone arm operating member and engageable with said cam,r said tone arm operating member being pivotally mounted in two senses so as to raise and lower said tone arm, from said turntable andswing said tone arm over and ben yond said turntable, alli as urged4 by said cam,

anda recordholder mounted on saidsecondary plate in position to support they periphery of ar connected to and `movable with said record holder and a second member operatively connected to and movable with said tone arm operating memu ber, said members being' operatively connected and effective to causesaidcam follower toselect a cam path corresponding to the sireofrecord which said recordholder is positionedto support.

BERNE N. FISHER.

(References on following page) 13 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record` in the 111e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Arvidius Feb. 18, 1936 Johnson May 16, 1939 Erwood Jan. 28, 1941 Wells Mar. 18, 1941 Erwood Jan. 5, 1943 Butler Aug. 31, 1943 Number Name Date Glaser Sept. '7, 1943 Becwar Sept. "1 1943 Leline June 27, 1944 Beewar Jan. 30, 1945 Morrison Nov. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Sept. 25, 1933 Great Britain Jan. 4:, 1937 

